The following highlights some of the popular Traditional Estonian Foods. If you manage to be in an Estonian restaurant or you are visiting Estonia, I recommend the following:
1. Rosolje
Rosolje is a popular Estonian party food: a delicious beetroot and potato salad, explosively crimson in colour, sometimes including onions, gherkins, smoked meat, hard-boiled eggs, while the dressing is usually made with a combination of mayonnaise and sour cream, mustard and some herbs. It’s a perfect side dish for your next party, picnic or barbecue.
2. Kohupiimakreem
Kohupiimakreem is an Estonian dessert of delicious cream made from cottage cheese mixed with vanilla, sugar and whipped cream. Always served cold, this dessert is best topped with sultanas or fresh berries for maximum enjoyment. Although often made at home, this dessert is also sold in small plastic containers.
3. Kama
Kama desserts are perhaps the best Estonian desserts, they are very tasty in nature. The ingredients used in these desserts are unique, which adds more flavour. Various types of flours are used such as oats, barley, peas and rye. You will simply love to eat this dessert with your loved ones.
4. Pirukas
Pirukas are a typical Estonian snack consisting of a sachet-shaped dough filled with a variety of ingredients. It can be classified into three categories: küpsetatud (small, baked), praetud (small, fried) and plaadipirukad (large, baked). The dough can be made from puff pastry or regular bread dough. The fillings are very varied, including meat, ham, cabbage, rice, mushrooms and carrots.
5. Verivorst
Verivorst is basically a type of Estonian sausage that is a Christmas delicacy. A type of blood sausage, Verivorst also has barley as an ingredient among other spices. The sausage is usually fried in a pan or put in the oven to cook. When ready, Verivorst is eaten as a starter and is best served with cranberry sauce or red berry jam.
6. Kohuke
Believed to have originated in Russia, Kohuke is today a popular delicacy in the Soviet Union, sold in most shops in the region. Estonia is not far behind in this Kohuke trend, which started some seven decades ago. This delicious treat is made by taking sweet curd and covering it with chocolate. There are different versions of Kohuke, some have coconut added while others have berries. What remains the same is its lovely sweetness and delicious taste.
7. Mulgipuder
This quintessential Estonian delicacy is a dish that originates from the Mulgi-Mulgimaa district in south-eastern Estonia. Mulgipuder is a mixture of mashed potatoes and barley porridge, prepared by boiling the ingredients with a little salt. Once ready, the potato and asparagus mixture is mashed to a pulp and served with some bacon and, perhaps, rye bread (obviously). It is a typical Estonian dish that is common in restaurants all over the country.
8. Kiluvõileib
This is a type of Estonian sandwich that is simply a slice of buttered bread (most likely rye bread), a layer of smoked fish, topped with a slice of boiled egg. At first glance, you may choose to give this dish ample space. With the grey fish on top of a slice of bread, it doesn’t do much in terms of encouraging you to eat it. Somehow the combination of flavours makes it a very delicious meal, one you must try when you are in Estonia.
9. Leivasupp
A thick, creamy and sweet bread soup. A traditional Estonian dish usually made with soaked and mashed bread, sultanas, fruit juice, cinnamon and sugar. It is usually made with traditional rye bread served with milk, cream, fresh fruit and nuts. This bread soup can be served hot or cold, and is enjoyed as a dessert or as a light afternoon snack, but is also a popular school lunch in the country.
10. Vana Tallinn
Vana Tallinn is a traditional Estonian alcoholic drink consisting of a dark brown liqueur with a mild rum flavour. Although the recipe is kept secret, some of the flavours include citrus oils, cinnamon and vanilla. The classic version is produced in three varieties, differing in alcohol content, the lightest (white label), and the strongest (black label).
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional European Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.